Since July last year, he had made plans to take a photo of the sun rising between the blocks of Rochor Centre.

It was only in April this year that Mr Jonathan Chiang, 26, a software engineer, felt the angle of the sun's rays were at the perfect spot.

But on that day, as the sun rose, residents in those blocks began dropping rice from their windows to feed the pigeons.

So instead of capturing a sunrise, he snapped a picture of a flock of pigeons flying.

It was not a loss, however.

The photo bagged Mr Chiang the top prize in the youth category at this year's Singapore Young Photographer Award (SYPA) by City Developments Limited. It beat 300 other submissions and won him $5,000 in cash.

Mr Chiang, who has taken part in the biennial competition four times, told The New Paper: "I've been taking part for a few years now, so winning is a dream come true."

One of the judges, Mr Chow Chee Yong, senior lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic's School of Design, said: "The entries in this year's SYPA are of an exceptionally high quality. The judges had a tough time selecting the winning works."

Mr Chiang's winning photo is one of six that he submitted. The other photos were taken in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia over one and a half years.

ORIGINALITY

Mr Chow said: "Mr Chiang's work stood out... His amazing set of images consists of a variety of unique angles, carefully timed images...and above all, originality. His work is exemplary."

Mr Chiang's interest in photography began in 2008, when his father bought a DSLR camera.

He borrowed it often and taught himself editing software such as Photoshop and Lightroom.

He said: "I think SYPA is a good avenue for young photographers to showcase their talents. It definitely spurred me to go out and take more photos."

"I've been taking part for a few years now, so winning is a dream come true."

- Mr Jonathan Chiang on winning top prize in the youth category of Singapore Young Photographer Award